Fair Is A Way Community Can Help Veterans Attain Self-respect, Pride

Call it another phase of the never-ending Vietnam War healing process.

Veterans helping veterans, the disabled, those under psychological stress, the unemployed.

That is what the Nam Vets of Marion County hope to do with proceeds from the third annual Veterans Fair Sunday at the Ocala Breeders Sales complex in Marion County. The Nam Vets want someday to build a halfway house for veterans of all wars.

The one-day event is being coordinated by the veterans group with help from area businesses and civic organizations.

Several Vietnam veterans from Lake, Citrus and Sumter also belong to the Marion veterans group.

Retired Army Gen. William Westmoreland, commander of U.S. forces in Vietnam and former Army chief of staff, will be the grand marshal for Sunday's event. The gates to the fair open at 11 a.m.; admission is $3 for adults, and $1 for children age 12 and younger.

The program will include musical entertainment, military exhibits, dancing, arts and craft displays and food concessions operated by civic organizations. As they have before, Pepsi-Cola and Coors beer distributors are donating cases of their thirst-quenchers to help the Marion veterans raise money to finance a veterans outreach program in Marion County.

Nam Vets officials stress the outreach program will be geared to offer help to veterans of all the military services, of all wars.

The fair gathers the community to raise money for a program that will offer veterans help and services they need and have earned by fighting for their country, said Ocala Mayor Wayne Rubinas.

Vietnam veterans, said the mayor, have given full measure of service, not only in active duty overseas but in contributions to enrich community life today in Marion County.

The Marion County veterans fair has become the principal money-raiser for the Nam Vets, and businesses and private contributions have supported the fair with donations of foods, refreshments and services.

Nam Vets was formed July 4, 1983, by two former Marines who served in Vietnam.

Since its inception, the group has helped establish a 24-hour crisis hot line, conducted weekly rap sessions with veterans, and assisted unemployed former service personnel find work.

The long-range goal of the Marion group is to foster self-pride and respect among veterans and their families, increase public awareness of veterans' problems and establish the halfway house.

Planners hope to attract about 20,000 people to the fair.

The community can help them achieve that goal by attending and extending support and appreciation to the men and women veterans who have given so much for their country in defense of freedom.